Breaking Down the Golden Arches

When I started to think about blogging GF options at McDonald's I thought it would be a piece of GF cake.  So I went to their website and looked for the nutritional information page http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ingredientslist.pdf and that's when things became a little more complicated.

I always thought you could have most of their sandwiches if you skipped the bun (of course no breaded sandwiches).  NO NO NO!!!  I thought I could have the Big Mac but I just found out that secret sauce contains gluten.  The Angus burger has seasoning which contains maltodextrin and it doesn't state from wheat or corn so I would hold off on ordering this burger no bun.

If ordering salads the only options are the side salad or the Premium Bacon Ranch salad without the chicken.  The dressings are Newman's Own brand and are all GF.  None of the current chicken patties, strips or nuggets are GF.

Unfortunately for now, stay away from those wonderful french fries.  No apple pies or cookies either.  If you want something sweet you can order the Apple Dippers with Caramel or the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait.  They are GOOD GF options.  So are the ice cream sundae's.  Just stay away from the candy toppings.

Most of McDonald's beverages are GF including the shakes and the McCafe coffee drinks.  The syrups used for flavoring are also GF.

As far as breakfast goes the sausage patties, bacon, scrambled eggs and the breakfast steak are GF along with the Canadian bacon.  NO hot cakes, McGriddles, McMuffins, etc.  All the buns contain gluten.

So that's the breakdown on McDonald's.   Yes, you will find some GF options but you will have to be creative.  Hmmm.  How about the beef patty with cheese over a side salad with a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait?   You know that doesn't sound too bad.

Entertained by the Queen

A great venue for some awesome music but nothing much to talk about on the menu. Honestly, I wasn't looking for a GF menu at this establishment. Just happy for some awesome acts and a nice Malbec!

Kelloggs Rice Crispies

Kelloggs now offers GF Rice Crispies. Check out their website for more info www.kelloggs.com.

It's Amazing......

...what a little email can do to help others.  Remember I sent that email to the GM of the Blue Rocks?  Well he forwarded it the GM of Centerplate, the company that runs the concessions and I have been asked if I would give my opinion on GF products and menu ideas for gluten intolerant fans to enjoy.  How cool is that.

Stay tuned for a new, updated GF menu for the Blue Rocks coming soon my dear readers.

Happy Sunday,

Bonnie B

Blue Rocks Update

I received a response to my email from the Blue Rocks General Manager, Chris Kemple. He said he would forward my concern to the people who run the concessions. That was about it.

I hope to hear back from the concessions people but I doubt I will. At least my email was read and I hope the next guest with gluten intolerance will have an easier time than I had.

Win For The Blue Rock, A Strike Out For Gluten Free Food

Last night was the home opener at the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  Everyone was having a great time but my GF food experience wasn't the home run I was expecting.

STRIKE ONE:  I decided to go get my Hot Dog Plate but found out that the concessions manager changed vendors and the GF plate wasn't available.   The manager did offer anything else on the menu complimentary but I was still disappointed that I couldn't get what was on the website.

STRIKE TWO:  Now I was on a mission to find the Red Bridge Beer.  I asked three different beer vendors if they had this beer.  Two said no but the third said she would ask and to wait a minute.  She returned shortly to tell me they never received the order in time for the game.

STRIKE THREE:  At this point I was so bummed that I decided I wasn't even going to pursue finding the Rice Crispy Treat.  I think it would have been easier to find Waldo.

I sent an email to the General Manager of the Blue Rocks just to let him know my experience.  I will blog about the outcome of the email if I receive a reply.

The Blue Rocks may have won their home opener but they lost with their GF food.

Take Me Out to The Gluten Free Ball Game

So we are heading to opening day at the Blue Rocks tomorrow night and I checked their web-site, low and behold they offer a GF menu.  Limited items but still options so you don't have to be creative.  The menu offers Rice Crispy Treats, a hot dog platter (hot dog, salad and chips) and pause....wait for it, Redbridge GF beer.

Stay tuned for my after game food review.

Bonnie B

Gluten Free Pizza - Eat In or Delivery?

In Delaware two restaurants come to mind when going out for pizza.  Grottos or Seasons.  Both have locations across the state and now they both offer GF pizza.

Let me break it down pizza to pizza.

Grottos Pizza is a 9 inch pie starting at $9.99 and Seasons is a 12 inch pie starting at $10.99.  Incidently their 12 inch pie is the same size as the regular medium pizza.  Of course thats the price before you add extra toppings.

I asked the server at Seasons if I could have any topping on my pizza.  She said no sausage as theirs contains gluten.

The Seasons pizza had a nice thin, crispy crust and Grottos had a slightly thicker crust but also crispy.  Neither pizza had that gluteny after taste.

I really loved both pizzas and would order from both restaurants.   If I had my own scoring system both pizzas would get BBBBB (get it 5 B's).

My Bianco with ham at Seasons!

Little side note here.  Extreme Pizza in Wilmington and Pizza by Elizabeth in Greenville also have GF pizza.  I have yet to try them but hope to review soon.  Stay tuned.

Yummy In The Tummy Pancakes

This morning I had a hankering for pancakes.  I recently discovered the new Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix and decided to give it a try.  Actually this was my second attempt (first one I didn't have the mix quite right).

So the recipe on the box says to use one cup of Bisquick, one cup of milk, two tablespoons of veggie oil and 1 egg.  This will make 10 pancakes.  I wasn't about to eat 10 so I decided to cut the recipe in half.  Well your probably thinking how do you cut an egg in half.  I crack the egg in a separate bowl, mix with a fork then  pour half in with the other mix.  I also added a little bit of cinnamon and sugar to the mix.  The mix was a little on the stiff side so I poured in a little more of the egg and a couple of tablespoons of water.  Sometimes to get the right consistency you have to modify the recipe.

After heating your greased skillet or griddle, I used a 1/4 cup measure to pour the pancake mix into the skillet.  The outcome you can see in the picture I posted with this Blog.  The pancakes are silver dollar size which actually did still yield about 10 pancakes.  They were evenly cooked and quickly ingested.  Yummy Yum Yum.  Even my non GF husband said they tasted good.  He did suggest for a sweeter batter to add a little bit more sugar and perhaps a drop of vanilla.

I DEFINITELY recommend this product to anyone who loves pancakes!!!  You can Google GF Bisquick recipes and find alot of great ideas for this mix.

Udi's Bread Rocks!

I had seen advertised on Facebook a number of new gluten free products.  At the advise of my Father, who incidentally also has Sprue, I stopped by a Trader Joe's and found Udi's GF bread.  I was amazed.  No more nuking your bread before toasting it!!!  It goes right from the bag to the toaster.  Makes for great sandwiches too.

I did have it yesterday without being toasted with a bun-less burger I picked up at a fast food place.  It was a little bit dry without putting a little heat to it.

Overall, I really like Udi's.  They have a number of different products including  whole grain, white bread and bagels.  These items can be found in the bread section of Trader Joe's, clearly marked as a Gluten Free food.

Enjoy!!

Bonnie B.